Back Health at Work

Office Ergonomics: Is Your Office Causing You Pain?

Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors2025-10-08T17:45:15+00:00October 8th, 2025|Adults, Back Health at Work, Health, Healthy Living, Overall Back Health, Wellness|

First, what is ergonomics? “In essence it is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities.” (Wikipedia) Proper ergonomics minimize physical stress on your body—a very important consideration as many Albertans spend eight or more hours sitting at a desk staring virtually non-stop at a computer.

Second, how can ergonomics cause you to feel strain and pain? If your chair, keyboard, computer monitor, etc. are not positioned properly, your body is forced to deal with stress that could lead to neck pain, low back pain and other physical issues.

How can you create a good ergonomic workspace?

Position your chair at a height where your feet are comfortably positioned flat on the floor, with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Improper positioning and support of your lower body can lead to low back strain, pain and injury.
Make sure your computer monitor is at eye level to reduce neck strain.
Use the hands-free/speaker option or a headset rather than holding your telephone between your ear and shoulder, which can lead to neck and shoulder strain.
Your keyboard tray should be positioned slightly below the height of your elbows, creating a negative slope that will allow your wrists to rest in a neutral position and help you avoid repetitive stress injuries.
Use an ergonomic keyboard to allow your wrists to rest at a more natural angle than traditional keyboards to prevent strain in your wrists and arms.

It is also important to remember to take regular breaks throughout your workday to stretch. Try to stand up or walk around every 45 minutes. This can be incorporated into your work routine by taking phone calls, filing or reading while standing up rather than sitting. You could also deliver messages to a co-worker in person rather than emailing it.

What to do if you are already experiencing pain and strain from poor office ergonomics?

When you feel tension or stress in certain area of your body like the neck, back and shoulders, change positions or try some gentle stretching exercises like shoulder shrugs.

If you experience back pain related to poor ergonomics, consult your chiropractor. Find a chiropractor

Understanding Slipped Discs and Disc Herniation

Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors2025-09-26T19:29:18+00:00September 26th, 2025|Back Health at Home, Back Health at Work, Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Overall Back Health, Wellness|

There are a number of misconceptions about what actually happens when spinal discs get injured. What most people think of as a slipped disc is actually a disc herniation.

The discs themselves are cushions between each spinal bone from your neck to lower back that absorb shock. Discs have a jelly-like center and a firm, thick outer layer. With age and injury – or more specifically a loss of disc hydration and repetitive dysfunctional mechanics – the thicker outer material can tear and allow the inner gel to push outward.

In some cases the gel pushes outward just enough to cause a bulge, but in severe cases, the gel can extrude past the normal boundaries of the disc. A herniation is a process the disc goes through over time and is not usually due to a single incident.

A disc herniation most commonly occurs in the lower back. However, they can also occur in the neck. When a disc herniates, it causes a variety of symptoms because it irritates the surrounding nerves and/or spinal cord.

Symptoms of disc herniation can include numbness, tingling, burning, electrical shock-like pain, muscle weakness, sensation deficits, and even bowel or bladder problems. If a disc herniation occurs in the lower back, the symptoms are experienced first starting in the lower back and then down the thigh, calf and into your feet. Disc herniations higher up in your neck will cause symptoms in your arm and fingers.

“It is crucial that an examination is done by your chiropractor to diagnose a disc herniation,” says Dr. Andrews.

“Certain orthopedic and neurological tests will help your doctor achieve the diagnosis. X-rays will often help determine if there is pre-existing disc degeneration; however, the best method to definitively diagnose a herniation is an MRI.”

Disc herniations can be treated conservatively with ice and heat, rest, and restriction of certain activities that may aggravate the condition. Certain exercises can also be prescribed to stabilize and strengthen the spine.

Chiropractic treatment through gentle, low-force adjustments can be very helpful in reducing symptoms. If symptoms are increasing and the bowels or bladder is affected, surgery may be necessary. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist if the disc condition is not responding to conservative care.

If you’ve suffered a disc injury, consult your chiropractor. Chiropractors are specifically educated and trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system (the body’s bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and connective tissue) to help patients regain and maintain their health.

How Soon After Surgery Can You Have Chiropractic Treatment?

Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors2025-06-06T15:28:25+00:00June 30th, 2017|Back Health at Home, Back Health at Work, Health, Overall Back Health, Wellness|

Surgical operations are a standard part of modern medicine. By many estimates, the average person will have about nine surgical procedures during their lifetime, including outpatient and in-office procedures. These surgeries may be quite minor and routine, such as a mole removal – or extremely serious, as with organ transplants.

Proper postoperative care is a critical component of recovery after a surgery. Your surgeon will often place restrictions on your activity for a period of time after your procedure, and you should always adhere to their advice. However, most surgeons do not explicitly mention chiropractic treatment in their aftercare instructions. So how long do you need to wait after surgery before having chiropractic care? Unfortunately, there is no single universal answer.

Type and Scope of Surgery

A large portion of the answer to the above question will depend on the type and scope of your surgery. This may seem obvious to some degree. For example, if you’re recovering from ankle surgery but desire chiropractic treatments for tennis elbow, this is unlikely to be a problem. Or, if you’ve had a wound on your finger recently stitched closed, spinal adjustments should not interfere with that healing process.

However, scenarios may arise where you’re unsure whether you’ve healed sufficiently for a chiropractic adjustment. This may be the case for abdominal surgeries, such as a gallbladder removal. In these cases, you should always consult your surgeon prior to undergoing any medical treatment, including chiropractic. Your surgeon is responsible for your aftercare following surgery, and you need to contact their office for any questions or concerns.

Keep Your Providers Up to Date

Whether you’ve undergone a tooth extraction or surgery to help repair a broken bone, you should make certain that all of your healthcare providers are updated on your medical history. This includes your chiropractor. As a health care provider, your chiropractor needs to know your current medical status and all procedures you’ve undergone, no matter how seemingly minor. Keeping your chiropractor up to date will allow them to make the best decisions for your health and safety.

Simply Ask

Before any surgery, your surgeon will explain the procedure and give you an opportunity to ask questions. If you’re planning on seeking chiropractic treatment during your recovery, let your surgeon know and ask about appropriate timeframes. Your surgeon will be able to clear you for chiropractic treatment when you’re ready.

Also, make sure your surgeon and chiropractor have each other’s contact information in case a question arises. This way, they’ll be able to coordinate your care and keep each other informed of your progress.

Although they are different disciplines, chiropractic and surgical care aren’t at odds with each other. By keeping your healthcare providers up to date on your medical history and asking questions, you can help ensure that your treatment team is working in conjunction to ensure your health and wellness.